Attention Performance Correlated With White Matter Structural Brain Networks in Shift Work Disorder.

Yanzhe Ning,Yong Zhang,Hongxiao Jia,Zhengtian Feng,Sitong Feng,Kuangshi Li,Xinzi Liu,Meng Fang

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.802830

Abstract

Neuroimaging studies have revealed that shift work disorder (SWD) affected the functional connectivity in specific brain regions and networks. However, topological disruptions in the structural connectivity of the white matter (WM) networks associated with attention function remain poorly understood. In the current study, we recruited 33 patients with SWD and 29 matched healthy subjects. The attention network test (ANT) was employed to investigate the efficiency of alerting, orienting, and executive control networks. The diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography was used to construct the WM structural networks. The graph theory analysis was applied to detect the alterations of topological properties of structural networks. Our results showed lower alerting effect and higher executive effect for patients with SWD. Using the link-based analysis, 15 altered connectivity matrices (lower fiber numbers) were found between the two groups. Meanwhile, the graph theoretical analysis showed that the global efficiency and characteristic path length within SWD patients declined in contrast with the healthy controls. Furthermore, a significantly negative correlation was found between the executive effect and global network efficiency. Our findings provide the new insights into the fundamental architecture of interregional structural connectivity underlying attention deficits in SWD, which may be a potential biomarker for SWD.

Highlights

Shift work disorder (SWD), involving circadian rhythm disorders, is characterized by the difficulty in falling asleep, sufficient sleep, and daytime fatigue, which result in the altered cognitive performance [1]
No significant differences were observed on orienting effect, overall mean response time (RT), and accuracy between the two groups
This study primarily demonstrated the disrupted white matter (WM) structural brain networks underlying the abnormal characteristic of Attention network test (ANT) in shift work disorder (SWD)

Summary

Introduction

Shift work disorder (SWD), involving circadian rhythm disorders, is characterized by the difficulty in falling asleep, sufficient sleep, and daytime fatigue, which result in the altered cognitive performance [1]. One study has shown that the exposure duration of shift work was negatively associated with impaired cognition [2]. Another study on the effects of shift work nurses on sleep and cognitive function has shown impaired attention for SWD [3]. It is widely used to measure the attentional performance of healthy individuals and mental patients [5,6,7]. The ANT study on sleep deprivation has shown an overall slowing of reaction times in the nocturnal session, along with impairments in orientation and executive function [8]. The abnormal attention on SWD via the ANT is still unknown

Results

Discussion

Conclusion